Popeyes Chicken Tenders Recipe
These Popeyes Chicken Tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. Made with a buttermilk marinade and a double-breading technique, they deliver the same crunch and flavor as the fast-food favorite—right from your kitchen!
Servings
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lb chicken breast cut into strips
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Seasoned Flour Mixture:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional for additional heat
- 1 tsp baking powder
For Breading and Coating:
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
For Frying:
- Vegetable or canola oil for deep frying
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, and black pepper. Submerge the chicken strips in the mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop and tenderize the meat.
Prepare the Breading Stations
- While the chicken marinates, set up three separate bowls for the breading process:
- Seasoned Flour Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and baking powder.
- Egg Wash: In a second bowl, beat the egg thoroughly.
- Breadcrumbs: Place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
Bread the Chicken
- One at a time, remove each chicken strip from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Then, follow this sequence for breading:
- Dredge the chicken strip in the seasoned flour mixture, coating all sides evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
- Dip the floured chicken into the beaten egg, ensuring it is fully coated. Let any excess egg drip off.
- Roll the chicken strip in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere the coating.
- Repeat the process for a second coating if a thicker, crunchier crust is desired.
Fry the Chicken
- In a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the breaded chicken tenders into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tenders are golden brown and crispy.
- Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the fried chicken tenders to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the crispy chicken tenders warm with your preferred dipping sauces, such as ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Notes
To make this Popeyes Chicken Tenders Recipe gluten-free, follow these substitutions:
- Flour Substitute: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or a combination of cornstarch and rice flour for extra crispiness.
- Breadcrumbs: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free cornflakes for a crunchy texture.
- Ensure Gluten-Free Ingredients: Double-check all seasonings and buttermilk to confirm they are gluten-free.